Nick Eatman - Art Briles: Looking Up: My Journey from Tragedy to Triumph

Contents

Foreword by Robert Griffin III

When things are going bad, youve got to get good.

Thats a phrase Ive heard Coach Briles say numerous times, whether its on the sideline, in the locker room at halftime, or even on the practice field. When things are looking bleak, coach always uses that phrase when trying to turn the tide of momentum. Its simple, but meaningful. He wants you to be accountable not only for your actions, but also for your surroundings.

As the quarterback of his teams at Baylor from 2008 to 2011, it was often my job to take charge and make sure things got turned around on the field. But Coach Briles wasnt always talking about the game of football. He wasnt just talking about avoiding a blitz, rolling to the side, and throwing a touchdownturning a potential sack into a score. Sometimes he was talking about the game of life, a bigger picture altogether.

I know when we first stepped on the Baylor University campus in 2008, things werent going well for the football program. He knew that, which is why he took the challenge. I knew it, too, and thats why I wanted to go with him. We thought that together, through hard work, desire, and drive, we could achieve great things.

Im proud to say we did.

But it started with Coach Briles. He told me that, if I came to Baylor, I could be a starting quarterback in the Big 12. Not many schools were saying that back then. Some wanted me to play receiver. Some wanted me to be a safety. And some thought I had quarterback in my future, but down the road, with the proper development.

To Coach Briles, however, I wasnt just any quarterback. No, from the very beginning, I was his quarterback.

Even then, he had bigger dreams for me. He didnt just think I could play the position. He told me I had the potential to win a Heisman Trophy. He told me I could be a first-round draft pick in the NFL.

Like many things he says or does, Coach Briles was right. I put in a lot of long hours and worked hard. I had lofty goals for myself, but I also wanted to make sure I didnt disappoint my coach.

The journey that Coach Briles has taken in his life is an inspiration to all of us. He dealt with the most unthinkable tragedy for a college athletelosing both parents at the age of 20 while they were en route to see him play. His life couldve gone in a different direction, but he followed his fathers footsteps into coaching. And I know Im one of thousands of people in the world who are in a better place because of his decision.

Sometimes you just have that feeling about a person, a bond that is connected right away. When he was recruiting me to go to the University of Houston in his last season there, he told me how good I could be, and despite not knowing much about him and his history, I trusted Coach Briles. He made me a believer, and he made our entire team believers.

In doing so, weve been able to change the schools culture. The facilities are much nicer, including the building of a brand-new stadium, but the overall attitude and mindset that Baylor can succeed is different, as well. As a player, I take satisfaction in having played a part in that.

For me personally, Coach Briles is more than just my coach. He has a unique ability to bestow friendship without ever blurring the lines of player/coach. He got on me when it was time for him to lead, but he also showed compassion and appreciation for all of his players.

While Ive had some memorable moments as his quarterback, there have been special times in my life when it wasnt just about football. Yet Coach Briles was there.

When I competed in the 400-meter hurdles at the Olympic Trials in Oregon as an 18-year-old freshman, there was Coach Briles, who altered a summer vacation with his family to come watch me run.

When we went to New York City for the Heisman Trophy presentation, Coach Briles was there providing a calming influence on me. He found a way to get me to relax and kept me confident by saying: Youre going to win because youve played too well not to win it. Once again, he was right.

Attending the NFL Draft the following April, he was there sitting at our table with my family. He was as proud that day as he was when I won the Heisman. He understands that players dream of playing in the NFL, and for me to hear my name called as the No. 2 overall pick, he couldnt have been more ecstatic.

But it didnt stop there. The next season, in the middle of trying to get his team bowl-eligible again, coach made an effort to drive up to Dallas to watch us play on Thanksgiving. Seeing him on the field during the pregame warmups nearly made me cry on the spot. I got it together and had one of my better outings of the season, as we beat the Cowboys in a big game on national TV.

And when we played the Cowboys again up in Washington, D.C., a winner-take-all rematch for the division title and a trip to the playoffs, there he was again, on the sideline to see me and wish me luck. And dont forget that his daughter works for the Cowboys, too, so he has some split loyalties. But the way he hugged me and told me how proud he was, I know how much he wants me to succeed.

Ive learned that if its a big moment in life, Coach Briles is going to make the strongest effort possible to be there. Having already proven that every step of the way, its never been more evident than right now. On or off the field, hes a winner.

But the reason Coach Briles is so successful is the very reason why hes not satisfied: his drive. I know hes working harder than ever to win next season and improve on the year before. Thats the type of work ethic he instilled in us every day. He always wanted us to be better than the last season, or the last game, or even the last day of practice.

If youre not getting better, youre getting worse. Coach Briles has always believed that, and I know thats why hes even hungrier to succeed moving forward.

As Ive gone off to further my career in the NFL, I now have other coaches in my life. And as Coach Briles continues to build his program at Baylor, he has other players who are first and foremost on his mind.

But he holds a special place in my life. Coach Briles is near and dear to my heart, and hopefully Im near and dear to his. Wherever we are in our lives, hell always be my friend. Hell always be my guy. And most importantly, hell always be my coach.

Robert Griffin III

Introduction by Art Briles

A book being written about my life was the furthest thing from my mind because I love my everyday journey and really havent reflected on my past. I still have so many unfulfilled dreams and goals. I am very grateful for all of the great moments in my life. Although I lost my immediate family, I have been blessed with a loving and supportive network of loved ones.

Since the day I lost my parents, my rock in my life has always been Jan. She continues to keep our family strong with love, courage, and kindness. Shes an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

We have been blessed with three kids, Jancy, Kendal, and Staley, and added two more family members in Sarah and Jeff. Our grandchildren, Jaytn and Kinley, keep us inspired to make tomorrow a better day.

I was approached a couple of times a few years ago by well-known authors. They made a couple of inquiries and did some pilot chapters, but I just didnt feel comfortable with the approach and timing. Nick is the guy I felt right about! I knew him as a family friend, and like all of us who were given that first chance, I wanted to allow him that opportunity.